Occupational exposure and new onset chronic bronchitis in a general population sample from Telemark County, Norway

<b>Introduction:</b> Chronic bronchitis (CB), defined as chronic cough with phlegm, is a common chronic respiratory condition with a negative impact on patient quality of life. Although occupational exposure is recognized as a risk factor, there are few prospective studies assessing work as a risk for new onset CB. <b>Aim:</b> We hypothesised that occupational exposure increases the risk of new onset CB and assessed whether baseline self-reported exposure to vapor, gas, dust and fumes (VGDF) was associated with new onset CB. <b>Methods:</b> The study is based on a random sample of the general population in Telemark County, Norway aged 16-55 yrs. CB was defined as present in those reporting cough and sputum production for three months in two consecutive years. We assessed the association of CB with VGDF using logistic regression adj. for age, sex and smoking, and calculated the VGDF-associated odds ratio (OR) and population attributable fraction (PAF). <b>Results:</b> 6 565 employed participants without CB answered the exposure questions in 2013. New onset CB at 5-year follow-up was 3.1% (n=204). VGDF was associated with CB (OR 2.2; PAF 35%). A dose-response relationship between frequency of VGDF exposure and new onset CB was observed (p&lt;0.001) (Table 1.) <b>Conclusion:</b> Occupational exposure to VGDF was associated with new onset CB in this 5-year follow-up study. Workplace exposures contribute substantially to the burden CB (PAF 35%).